International Arrest Warrant Issued for Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández

Honduran authorities have issued an international arrest warrant for former President Juan Orlando Hernández, just days after his release from a U.S. prison following a pardon by President Donald Trump. Attorney General Johel Antonio Zelaya announced the warrant on December 8, 2025, citing charges of fraud and money laundering related to the "Pandora" corruption case.

Hernández, who served as Honduras's president from 2014 to 2022, was extradited to the United States in 2022 on drug trafficking and weapons charges. In 2024, he was convicted of facilitating the transport of over 400 tons of cocaine into the U.S. and was sentenced to 45 years in prison. On December 1, 2025, President Trump granted him a full pardon, leading to his immediate release.

The "Pandora" case involves the alleged diversion of approximately 282 million lempiras (about $11.2 million) of public funds during the 2013 election campaign. These funds were reportedly funneled through non-governmental organizations to finance political campaigns, including Hernández's 2013 presidential bid. In 2023, Hernández, along with several former officials, was charged with fraud and money laundering in connection with this case.

Attorney General Zelaya emphasized the impact of corruption on Honduras, stating, "We have been lacerated by the tentacles of corruption and by the criminal networks that have deeply marked the life of our country." He instructed the Agencia Técnica de Investigación Criminal and Interpol to execute the warrant.

Hernández's attorney, Renato C. Stabile, criticized the arrest warrant as a "strictly political move" by the opposing LIBRE party, labeling the charges as "completely baseless." Hernández's wife, Ana García, indicated that he is currently in a "safe place" in the U.S. due to security concerns and will delay his return to Honduras.

The issuance of the arrest warrant coincides with Honduras's presidential elections, where conservative candidate Nasry "Tito" Asfura holds a slight lead over centrist rival Salvador Nasralla. Trump's endorsement of Asfura and the timing of Hernández's pardon have raised questions about potential influences on the election outcome.

The pardon and subsequent arrest warrant have sparked debates about judicial independence, political interference, and the fight against corruption in Honduras. The situation also poses challenges for U.S.-Honduras relations, as the U.S. had previously supported Hernández's extradition and conviction. The contrasting actions of pardoning Hernández while intensifying measures against other alleged drug traffickers, such as Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, have drawn bipartisan criticism in the U.S.

The international arrest warrant for Juan Orlando Hernández underscores the complexities of international law, political dynamics, and the ongoing struggle against corruption in Honduras. The interplay between U.S. foreign policy decisions and Honduran domestic affairs continues to shape the political landscape in the region.